Nats Drop Third Straight, 4-3

The Nats put 15 baserunners on but cashed in just three as they were edged by the Cards, 4-3.

Two double plays and just one hit in ten RISP opportunities led to ten runners left on while St. Louis scored four from its nine baserunners, overcoming a 2-1 deficit in the middle innings and breaking a 3-3 tie in the 8th.

Max Scherzer got the start and walked one and gave up one hit—a second-inning solo HR—over four innings for the no-decision. Brandon Kintzler coughed up two in the 7th for the blown save, Sammy Solis gave up one in the 8th for the loss.

Two Watchlist players were in the starting lineup. Victor Robles went 1-for-3 with an RBI as the CF while Kelvin Gutierrez was 0-for-3 at 3B.

   ●   Juan Soto took over RF from Moises Sierra and went 0-for-1 with a walk.
   ●   Jose Marmolejos pinch-hit for DH Bryce Harper and grounded into a double play in the 9th.
   ●   Rafael Bautista subbed for Robles in CF and slid over to LF when Daniel Johnson came into the game. He was 0-for-2 with two K’s.
   ●   Johnson played CF and flew out to LF in the 8th.
   ●   Osvaldo Abreu followed Matt Reynolds at 2B and drew a walk in his lone PA.

The Nats return to West Palm Beach to host the Mets today. Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his second spring outing. The game will not be broadcast.

This is the last game before the first of two scheduled off days in Florida. The first cuts should be coming soon, perhaps as soon as this afternoon.